South African former police chief who was convicted of corruption dies after long illness

FILE - In this Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010 file photo, South African former police commissioner Jackie Selebi attends his sentencing on corruption charges at the High Court in Johannesburg, South Africa. The family of South Africa’s former national police chief, Jackie Selebi, who was disgraced after he was found guilty of corruption, said on Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 that he has died following a long illness. (AP Photo-File)
(The Associated Press)

JOHANNESBURG – A former national police chief in South Africa who was convicted of corruption in 2010 and earlier served as Interpol president has died following a long illness.

In 2010, a South African court found Selebi guilty of accepting bribes from a drug smuggler. Selebi was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but was released on medical parole after eight months. Opposition leaders and civil society groups criticized his early release.

Selebi served as president of Interpol from 2004 to 2008. He was a prominent member of African National Congress, South Africa's ruling party.